ARCHAEOLOGY IN LEICESTER, LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND 2016 Edited by John Thomas

Archaeological watching briefs and evaluations, which have produced no significant archaeological features or finds, are listed at the end of the relevant county sections below. In each case, the parish/site name is followed by the name of the organisation which undertook the fieldwork. For abbreviations, please see above (p. v). Some entries may relate to fieldwork undertaken before 2016 but not previously reported.

LEICESTER All finds and records are deposited with Leicester City Museums Service (LCMS) under the accession number cited at the end of the entry.

Beaumont Leys, Castle Hill (SK 56489 09217) Tim Higgins, Mathew Morris Leicester City Council and ULAS have teamed up to run a two-year Heritage Lottery-funded community excavation at Castle Hill in Beaumont Leys, as part of the Story of Parks project. During the first season of fieldwork around 40 volunteers of mixed experience took part in the excavation, under the guidance of ULAS archaeologists. Castle Hill, a scheduled ancient monument, is believed to be a medieval estate centre, held by the Knights Hospitallers between c.1240 and 1484. However, more recent use of the site as a Victorian sewage farm had potentially caused extensive disturbance to the underlying medieval monument. During the first season of fieldwork, three trenches were excavated to investigate different aspects of the earthwork. Results show that damage from the sewage farm appears to be minimal, with medieval archaeology still well preserved. The enclosure comprises a large ditch and stone-built bank. There is evidence for structures, possible stone-founded buildings, inside, and at least one building had a slate roof and glazed ridge-tiles, suggesting it was more than a simple farm building. Pottery is consistent with occupation on the site between 1240 and 1484, and there is no evidence of earlier or later occupation, with the site probably being abandoned and demolished in the fifteenth century. Evidence of iron working (smithing waste) was also noted. Other features included a post-medieval ‘pond’ and slate-made land drain, and investigation of an earth mound in the centre of the enclosure has found that it may be deliberately built and contained behind a stone kerb, and could be something like a barrow, or a windmill mound or park feature. A second season of fieldwork is planned for 2017. A13.2016.

Trans. Leicestershire Archaeol. and Hist. Soc., 91 (2017) 202 john thomas

Leicester Cathedral (SK 58517 04450) Philip Dixon Three exploratory test pits were excavated between 7 and 11 November 2016 in the Song School by GEA Associates, under the direction of the Dean and Chapter, and the Cathedral Archaeologist. Two test pits were located within the Song Room – the third in the adjacent passageway. The aim of excavating the test pits was to identify Roman and later stratification beneath the Song Room, and to examine the nature of its foundations and those of the chapel. A borehole slightly south of the centre of the Song School was also sunk to determine the depth of Roman deposits and the natural sub-strata. One test pit in the Song Room was severely disturbed and contained no finds. The other test pit was located adjacent to the southern wall of the Song Room, and was excavated to a depth of c.1.9m. Excavation of this test pit was hampered by the discovery of a brick burial vault with a stone capping slab, which was thought to have been at roughly the same level of the original graveyard surface. The passageway test pit was excavated to c.1.4m, and revealed very shallow foundations for the adjacent chapel wall and buttress. No finds were retrieved from either of these two test pits, although a small quantity of disarticulated human bone was found. Roman and medieval pottery was recovered from the borehole. The test-pit excavation revealed a layer of black, fairly uniform soil c.2m thick beneath the floor level, whilst the borehole data showed a change in deposits to a slightly browner material c.3.1m below the present ground surface, and from which bone and fifteenth- or sixteenth-century pottery was recovered. Roman pottery and a tile fragment were retrieved from a uniform earth matrix, between 3.5m and 4m below the ground. Natural sub-strata was encountered at 5m (gravel, solid Marl at 5.2m).

Leicester, St Nicholas Circle (SK 58226 04453) Gavin Speed ULAS carried out an archaeological investigation on land at St Nicholas Circle, in response to new development proposals relating to the Jewry Wall Museum. The trial trench evaluation initially comprised six 2.5m² trenches that were cut through the footpath along the southern boundary of the Jewry Wall bath complex. Archaeological evidence was located in all six evaluation trenches, and consisted of Roman, medieval and post-medieval deposits. A second phase of evaluation was subsequently undertaken at the revised location for a proposed ramp, located on the south-eastern side of the Roman bath complex. A Roman wall was located in two trenches, as well as an opus signinum floor, together with numerous Roman artefacts. These could relate to the baths complex, or else be evidence for a separate building adjacent to it. A clay-bonded medieval wall was located within one trench, perhaps relating to footings for a building fronting onto St. Nicholas Street. Human remains in another trench had been disturbed by later service pipes, but these are likely to relate to burials associated with the St Nicholas churchyard to the north-east of the trenches. A7.2016.

Historic Building Recording

London Road 4–58 London Road (SK 59387 03978) (ULAS) archaeology in leicester, leicestershire and rutland 2016 203

Negative watching briefs and evaluations in Leicester (undertaken by ULAS unless otherwise stated) Hamilton: Hamilton Lane (SK 47022 03085); Leicester: 10–14 New Street (SK 58495 04297)

LEICESTERSHIRE All finds and records will be deposited with Leicestershire County Council under the accession number given at the end of each entry.

Appleby Magna, land south of 40 Measham Road James Patrick (SK 31621 10293) An archaeological field evaluation by trial trenching was carried out by ULAS in advance of residential development. The evaluation consisted of five trial trenches that were located to coincide with new buildings and an access road. A series of archaeological features was identified, including east to west plot boundaries and a north to south ditch. All were heavily truncated and difficult to date, but it is likely that they represent a continuation of probable medieval boundary features previously located immediately to the south of the study area. X.A49.2016.

Ashby de la Zouch, land between Burton Road and Richard Parker Moira Road (SK 3452 1704) Trent & Peak Archaeology was commissioned by Bellway Homes East Midlands to carry out an archaeological trial trench evaluation in advance of a proposed residential development. The evaluation followed a geophysical survey and comprised 29 trenches that were excavated across the development area. A large oval shallow basin feature, measuring c.15m × 10m, was identified at the northern end of the site. This contained pottery dating from the thirteenth/ fourteenth century to the eighteenth century, but its function was unclear. The southern end of the site contained areas of intense burning and associated brick structures. The thickness of the bricks indicates a late eighteenth century date and the presence of highly fired bricks would suggest that the structures relate to a kiln. Evidence for ridge and furrow was observed across the development area, these varied in size and orientation. However, all produced finds which were post- medieval in date. Several ditches were identified as being probable boundary ditches, some of which coincided with features on nineteenth-century mapping. All other potential ditches were dated as no earlier than post-medieval. X.A12.2016.

Ashby de la Zouch, land at Holywell Spring Farm Jon Elston, Gemma Hewitt (SK 3490 1748) A strip, map and record excavation was carried out by MOLA Northampton for CgMs Consulting investigating three post-medieval clamp kilns (Fig. 1). The kilns 204 john thomas

Fig. 1. Plan of the excavated area with a detailed plan and photograph of Kiln 2. © MOLA Northampton. archaeology in leicester, leicestershire and rutland 2016 205 comprised a fire chamber and working areas, and have been dated to AD 1620– 1780 by archaeomagnetic analysis of kiln [039]. The three kilns lay next to each other. Cart tracks led to all the kilns, probably for supply, and were parallel to each other aligned roughly north–south. The cart tracks also displayed ruts. All three kilns were aligned to utilise the draught created by the hillside, with the work areas on the lower slope and the fire pit on higher ground to draw the airflow into the flue. The clamp kilns date to the late seventeenth century and were still present in the landscape, probably as earthworks, in 1735 – as shown by the field boundary on the Gardiner map. The lack of any kiln furniture, process residues or superstructure causes some difficulty in identifying their purpose, but it is likely the largest kiln was used for making lime for spreading on the fields. The two smaller kilns may have also been used for lime production, but the difference in size could mean the lime was meant for building mortar and required a more refined process to achieve a better quality of lime. A trial trench evaluation located the truncated furrows of former ridge and furrow cultivation. X.A44.2015.

Ashby de la Zouch, land off Woodcock Way Ed Taylor (SK 3641 1731 – centre) Trent & Peak Archaeology was commissioned by CgMs Consulting, on behalf of their clients, to carry out a LiDAR study and an archaeological trial trench evaluation on land off Woodcock Way. The LiDAR study recorded upstanding earthworks associated with ridge and furrow cultivation, and identified a palaeochannel running along the western boundary of the site. The trial trench evaluation comprised 17 trenches which sampled the furrows and investigated the palaeochannel. Ceramic material collected from the furrows, subsoil and topsoil would suggest that the area was actively ploughed between the late medieval period and the seventeenth to early eighteenth century. The near absence of nineteenth to twentieth- century material suggests the site was under pasture, at least in part, during this period. Sediments collected in a column sample taken from the palaeochannel found that there was a medium to high potential for the presence of preserved pollen. However, given the paucity of suitable dating material, no further work is required. X.A59.2016.

Ashby Folville, land between 15 and 21 Folville Street Dale Trimble (SK 7078 1204) Archaeological trial trenching was undertaken by Witham Archaeology in advance of residential development. The project was commissioned by the Ashby Folville Land Trust in response to a condition of planning permission imposed by Melton Borough Council. The evaluation identified a ditch containing sherds of Stamford Ware pottery, dating between the tenth and twelfth centuries. No evidence of other occupation 206 john thomas during the medieval and post medieval periods was recorded. Five sherds of unstratified pottery, dating between the late Iron Age and Roman periods, were also recovered during the machining, hinting at earlier activity in the area. X.A30.2016.

Bardon Hill Quarry, Bardon, nr. Coalville (SK 4728 1211) Karen Francis, Gary Coates Following detailed evaluations, an area excavation was undertaken by Phoenix Consulting Archaeology Ltd, between April and July 2016, in advance of mineral extraction by Aggregate Industries (UK) Ltd. The focus of the excavation was on high ground to the west of Copt Oak Road (B591), where a c.2ha area was stripped and recorded. This revealed part of a large, rectangular Iron Age enclosure encompassing an area of c.7,800m2 (c.1.4 acres). The enclosure, which showed evidence for maintenance in the form of multiple re-cuts, contained the remains of at least five roundhouses that co-existed at any one time. These structures were evidenced by multi-phased ring-ditches and drip gullies, showing that each house was re-built at least once and possibly up to four times during the life of the settlement (Fig. 2). Most of the structures contained multiple pits and post-holes indicative of storage features and internal structural elements. During a later phase, the enclosure was supplemented by an outward-facing stock corral, inserted into its south-west corner. A complete upper beehive rotary quern – possibly a deliberately placed deposit – was recovered from the basal ditch fill, together with pottery dated to the fourth–first centuries BC. In total, 1,346 sherds of Iron Age pottery (predominantly domestic cooking vessels in the East Midlands Scored Ware ceramic tradition), dating between the fifth and first centuries BC, were recovered from various features across the Site. The assemblage is consistent with other contemporary settlements in the area, notably those at Enderby, Wanlip and Breedon on the Hill. A late pit cut into the silted-in enclosure ditch contained the only two sherds of Roman pottery from this phase of Site works (a significant quantity had been recovered from an area south of the main enclosure during evaluation trenching). The complete absence of animal bone recovered from the settlement is no doubt the result of poor preservation. Environmental analysis found carbonised cereal remains in over 40 per cent of the mid- to late Iron Age samples, indicating that cereals, predominantly barley, were in common usage on the site. Non-cereal taxa were quite limited, but indicated waterlogged conditions symptomatic of the site’s poorly draining soils. Three, fourteenth century dates obtained from a pit cut into the stock corral and two of the ring-ditches, provide calibrated dates ranging from the mid- to late Iron Age (SUERC-72055: 350 cal BC–209 cal BC; SUERC-72412: 335 cal BC–204 cal BC; and SUERC-72056: 281 cal BC–114 cal BC respectively), all with 95.4 per cent probability. X.A40.2017.

Blaby, Leicester Lions RFC, Lutterworth Road (SP 563 966) Donald Clark An archaeological strip, map and sample excavation was carried out by ULAS from 14 June 2016 to 5 July 2016. The excavation followed two earlier phases archaeology in leicester, leicestershire and rutland 2016 207

Fig. 2. Iron Age settlement at Bardon Hill Quarry. © Phoenix Consulting Archaeology Ltd. 208 john thomas of evaluation, also carried out by ULAS which showed a concentration of archaeological features. The main focus for the excavation was the area around and including evaluation trench 5a (Phase II), where two Iron Age roundhouses were recorded – both with surviving sections of ring gully and associated post-holes. In addition to the roundhouses, a possible four-post structure was also revealed. X.A12.2015.

Bottesford, Daybell’s Barns, Deven Farm, Grantham Road Leon Hunt (SK 807 389) An archaeological inspection was carried out by ULAS during ground-works for a new dwelling and garage. The site lay adjacent to the location of medieval and post- medieval remains that were revealed during construction of a new housing estate in 2008. Three trenches were monitored, one of which contained a medieval lozenge shaped pit. The feature contained a cattle bone and a sherd of pottery dating between the thirteenth and fifteenth century, as well as residual Roman pottery. X.A38.2016.

Bottesford, Easthorpe Lodge, Manor Road (SK 81102 38553) Roger Kipling An archaeological evaluation was undertaken by ULAS in January 2016 in advance of a proposed residential development. Evidence for early medieval activity was identified in the northern part of the site and comprised two shallow gullies associated with eleventh to twelfth-century pottery. These features may be associated with medieval activity fronting onto Manor Road, or could possibly be associated with the adjacent medieval moated manorial site. A series of plough furrows was encountered in the southern paddock area. X.A142.2015.

Broughton Astley, Thomas Estley Community College Stephen Baker (SP 527 927) ULAS carried out an archaeological excavation in advance of the proposed building of new classrooms. The excavation revealed archaeological remains of variable quality and date, including a pit alignment of possible later prehistoric date, a series of poorly dated gullies and discrete features that may have been associated. A further linear feature was thought to be a post-medieval gully, associated with nearby water meadows visible on aerial photographs. X.A48.2016.

Claybrooke Magna, Bell Street (SP 49352 88582) Marta Perlinska A programme of archaeological works was undertaken in response to a planning condition in October 2016, in advance of a residential development on behalf of MTC Planning and Design Limited for Mr A. Taylor. A total of 253 square metres was stripped and recorded. archaeology in leicester, leicestershire and rutland 2016 209

The excavation revealed an undated gully, running north-west to south-east and changing course towards the east. It was cut by an east–west row of pits containing medieval pottery, which suggests an earlier date for the gully. The row of pits was in turn cut by an alignment of small, modern post-holes, the remains of a recent fence. In the eastern part of the site, two sections revealed stone structures, which probably relate to a trackway that ran on a north–south alignment. The remains of the trackway are visible further north as a current footpath. Associated pottery suggests a medieval date for the establishment of the trackway. X.A126.2016.

Coalville, Bardon Road (SK 4383 1326) Adam Reid, Chris Chinnock Two trial trenches and an area measuring 0.31ha were excavated by MOLA Northampton on land to the rear of Bardon Road. This mitigation focused on a truncated urned cremation burial and a curvilinear gully that was identified during an earlier trial trench evaluation. This subsequent work found that the remains of post-medieval cultivation had severely impacted on the site. Only a single undated ring gully and the remains of a modern field boundary were identified. X.A21.2015.

Cosby, Croft Road (SP 542 953) Stephen Baker ULAS carried out an archaeological evaluation by trial trenching in March 2016. The work was undertaken for Jelsons as part of an archaeological impact assessment in advance of a residential development, and took place following a desk-based assessment and a geophysical survey which identified archaeological anomalies. The evaluation involved the excavation of 34 trenches in total to sample the proposed development area and target potential anomalies. Evidence of pits, ditches and a possible track way were uncovered, ranging in date from prehistoric to Roman, along with a possible sunken-featured building of probable early Anglo- Saxon date. X.A36.2016.

Cossington, All Saints’ Church, Main Street (SK 603 136) Leon Hunt An archaeological test-pit and trial trench evaluation was carried out by ULAS at All Saints’ Church, in advance of the construction of a new meeting room and the replacement of the existing church floor. This work was required to assess the impact of the new proposals after advice from Historic England and the Diocesan Advisory Committee. A total of ten test pits and trenches were excavated. Six test pits were excavated within the church and four in the churchyard to the north of the church, between gravestones, large tree roots and services. The test pits within the church consisted of the examination of the Victorian underfloor heating system by lifting the access grilles and slabs over the heating system. These allowed the heating system to be partially recorded, but did not allow the examination of the tiled area of the church floor. Therefore, three test pits were dug through the church floor, including one in the centre of the church after the tiles had been removed. Two others were excavated in areas where the floor had collapsed. 210 john thomas

Cobbles were located within the soil in one test pit close to the north wall, along with a sherd of twelfth-century pottery. Cobbles were discovered in situ within another, along with thirteenth-century pottery. It is unclear whether the cobbles were the remnants of a cobbled floor pre-dating the Victorian tiled floor, or a cobbled yard or path predating the thirteenth-century north aisle. The test pits through the floor showed that the tiles overlay a sandy bedding layer, over a layer of crushed plaster hardcore which in turn covered dark brown soil. Pottery and human bone were retrieved from the test pits. At the edge of all three test pits a low wall of brick or stone was identified, which had been constructed to support the ends of the pews along the edge of the aisles. The lifting of the access grilles and slab of the heating system below the floor afforded a brief examination of the heating system, which appeared to run down the north and, presumably, the south aisles, and under the floor of the west tower. A large pit at the eastern end of the north aisle, appeared to be deeper than the other spaces, and was constructed of blue engineering bricks rather than the red bricks seen in the other spaces. The four trenches within the churchyard encountered a horizon of disarticulated human remains between c.0.68m and 0.80m deep, while in one trench articulated human remains were revealed at a depth of c.0.88m below ground level. X.A65.2016.

Countesthorpe, land off Leicester Road and Foston Road T. Michaels (SP 5890 9607) In September 2016, Foundations Archaeology undertook a programme of archaeological evaluation on land off Leicester Road and Foston Road, Countesthorpe. The project was commissioned by BSA Heritage on behalf of Catesby Estates Ltd. The evaluation comprised the excavation and recording of 16 trenches within the site. Archaeological evidence comprising two pits, two gullies and two field boundary ditches was recorded in six of the trenches, although none of the features were dated. Evidence for agricultural activity was revealed by the presence of furrows and plough scars in the trench bases. A single fragment of late seventeenth-century Blackware was present within the base of one furrow.

Diseworth, 17 Clements Gate (SK 45531 24552) Richard Huxley Archaeological attendance was undertaken by ULAS during groundworks associated with the construction of a new dwelling. The site is located within the medieval and post-medieval core and the Conservation Area of the village. The work revealed several pits and post-holes associated with pottery ranging in date from the twelfth to the sixteenth century. X.A67.2016.

Donisthorpe, land at Talbot Place (SK 3126 1356) Robert Evershed Allen Archaeology Ltd carried out a geophysical survey using magnetometry in response to a planning application for a residential development. archaeology in leicester, leicestershire and rutland 2016 211

Previous archaeological work, immediately to the north-west of the site, has identified a series of probable agricultural enclosures of Romano-British date. The survey revealed a complex of linear and curvilinear features, representing a continuation of the known Romano-British enclosure system previously recorded to the west of the site. The survey also revealed good evidence for medieval ridge and furrow cultivation across the entire field.

Dunton Bassett (SP 5458 9038 – centre) J. Gater, R. Davies A detailed magnetometer survey was conducted by Stratascan over approximately 3.5ha of grassland at Dunton Bassett in July 2016. The survey revealed a D-shaped enclosure and associated pits, providing evidence of possible late prehistoric settlement activity. A former droveway was also identified. Further linear anomalies and possible pits were also revealed, although their exact origin cannot be determined with confidence. Evidence of ridge and furrow across the area provided evidence of medieval agricultural activity.

Enderby SES site, Leicester Lane North (SP 545 998 – centre) Wayne Jarvis North of Leicester Lane, Enderby, in the south-east of the proposed New Lubbesthorpe development area, a large 5ha area excavation on the proposed SES site was undertaken by ULAS after an earlier trial trenching phase (Figs 3 and 4). Here the excavation concentrated on two areas (north and south) that exposed a substantial later prehistoric site, probably indicating shifting settlement over a period of 1,000 years. The site included a unique territorial boundary system potentially of late Bronze Age date, consisting of a beam slot and post-built alignment and a pair of ditches. A series of enclosures were also identified, including one D-shaped example, and one large enclosure with a very wide entrance, probably being of Iron Age date. Ten roundhouses were identified, and the six of these in the south of the area produced material of Bronze Age date. One of these roundhouses was atypical, larger and of multiple concentric rings. Scored ware indicative of mid–late Iron Age activity was more common on a plateau near to the D-shaped enclosure, and additionally in the north area where four further roundhouses and enclosures were excavated. Some transitional material was also found from features on the plateau. X.A112.2011.

Enderby, Leicester Lane South (SP 554 998) Roger Kipling An archaeological evaluation was undertaken between September and October 2016 on behalf of Drummond Estate Planning. The fieldwork was carried out in response to a proposed planning application for mixed commercial and residential development on land south of Leicester Lane and west of St Johns, Enderby. The evaluation revealed evidence for archaeological activity of late prehistoric and Roman date. Mid–Late Iron Age activity was concentrated in the western central part of the site and focused on a small enclosure. Romano-British activity of first to second century date in the form of hearths, ditches, gullies and pits was 212 john thomas

Fig. 3. Enderby SES site (south area). © ULAS. archaeology in leicester, leicestershire and rutland 2016 213

Fig. 4. Enderby SES site (north area). © ULAS. identified to the south, close to the known course of the Fosse Way Roman road and possibly linked to the road by a trackway. One of the Roman ditches contained a dump of stone rubble and box flue tile that may have been deposited during the third century, and indicates later activity in the area. Gravel spreads, identified in trenches adjacent to the postulated course of the Fosse Way, may represent traces of eroded metalling from the road, while ditches running parallel to the road were also recorded. X.A107.2016. 214 john thomas

Frisby on the Wreake, land off Water Lane (SK 6920 1776) Robert Evershed Allen Archaeology Ltd was commissioned by Landmark Planning to undertake a geophysical survey using magnetometry, prior to the submission of a planning application for a residential development. The site lies in an area of archaeological interest, with possible Bronze Age and Iron Age cropmarks in the vicinity of the site, and settlement evidence of Iron Age and Roman date recorded to the south-west of the site. The survey revealed evidence for medieval ridge and furrow agriculture in the southern half of the site, with a possible headland running along the northern edge of these features. Within the centre of the site a series of linear features represented probable enclosures, which in part appear to cut across the ridge and furrow, so may date to a later period. There are extant earthworks across most of the site that tie in with both the ridge and furrow, and with the enclosure features.

Great Bowden, land off Dingley Road (SP 74717 88687) Dr Gavin Speed Following geophysical and earthwork surveys, ULAS carried out an archaeological evaluation in advance of development proposals. The evaluation located archaeological finds and deposits in 12 of 17 trenches. Most of the archaeological remains indicated activity dating to the late Saxon to early medieval period (AD 850–1250) and consisted of former field boundaries, along with some associated activity. Paired ditches orientated north, north-east to south, south-west, perhaps representing a droveway also dating to the late Saxon to early medieval period, were seen across three trenches, confirming geophysical anomalies across Fields 2 and 3. A separate area of discrete features in Field 2 related to medieval activity in the Knights End Road area. A post-medieval cobbled surface was located in Field 4; this may be part of a cobble surface seen in earlier excavations found in association with a barn. X.A73.2016.

Hallaton Roman Villa (SP 7880 980) Vicki Score, Hallaton Field Work Group During Easter 2016 the Hallaton Field Work Group (HFWG) undertook excavation on the site of a possible Roman Villa to the north of Hallaton village (HER Ref. MLE1634). The site had been identified through fieldwalking undertaken in the 1970s, which found Roman pottery, tile, window glass, tesserae and Roman coins. Geophysical survey of the area in 2000 revealed what appeared to be robber trenches, walls, pits and possible surfaces, as well as a series of ditches in the surrounding area (Fig. 5). Three trenches were excavated; one through the centre of what was thought to be the interior of the villa and a large pit to the west (Trench 1), and two across ditches outside the structure (Trenches 2 and 3). Trench 1 contained a number of robber trenches and a make-up layer for a floor, suggesting that it formed the interior of a room. A number of large tiles, including one still in situ, suggested a hypocaust system, and a stone structure in the corner with evidence for sooting and burning may have been part of the furnace for it archaeology in leicester, leicestershire and rutland 2016 215

Fig. 5. The results of the geophysical survey showing the outline of the Villa-related features and the location of the three excavation trenches. © HFWG/ULAS.

(Fig. 6). Foundations of a stone wall and areas of cobbling to the east may have been part of a courtyard (Fig. 7). The pottery from within the area was dated predominantly between the second and fourth centuries, indicating a mid–late Roman occupation date, although some late Iron Age and early- to mid-first-century pottery was found during the field-walking, suggesting that there may have been earlier activity in the area. To the south of the excavated room, the ground sloped downwards and the large pit identified in the geophysical survey was revealed to be a substantial pond, with a number of drainage channels running downslope into it. Trenches 2 and 3 both found ditches corresponding to the geophysical survey results. These lay on the same orientation as the villa, contain similar pottery types, and may represent field systems associated with the structure. X.A61.2016.

Houghton on the Hill, Ingarsby Lane (SK 467885 304469) Adam Clapton An archaeological field evaluation was carried out by ULAS in advance of the development of the site for a solar farm and related infrastructure. A previous phase 216 john thomas

Fig. 6. View across Trench 1 showing the in situ tiles and possible furnace (2m scale). © HFWG/ULAS.

Fig. 7. The low wall footings and possible courtyard surface (2m scale). © HFWG/ULAS. archaeology in leicester, leicestershire and rutland 2016 217 of geophysical survey had located potential archaeological anomalies, although the majority of the results appeared to relate to medieval or post-medieval ridge and furrow ploughing, field boundaries, and modern underground services. The evaluation consisted of 16 trenches excavated across the proposed development area, and positive results were revealed in five of them. Archaeological features included gullies and ditches, along with a single inhumation burial, all of which were associated with pottery sherds, indicating a mid–late Iron Age to early Roman date for the activity. X.A24.2016.

Houghton on the Hill, 54 Main Street (SK 779 189) Susan Henderson Archaeological Attendance was carried out by ULAS during groundworks associated with the construction of a double garage with associated first-floor accommodation. Four archaeological features were identified following ground reduction and trenching. A heavily truncated gully, running roughly north to south and central to the site, was recorded and included an assemblage of early post-medieval pottery. An adjacent post-hole was undated. A truncated metalled surface was identified in section only and to the south-east of the site, potentially of medieval date. A pit, also heavily truncated but more securely of medieval date, was located to the north-east of the site. X.A97.2016.

Huncote, land at Forest Road (SP 517 978) Gavin Speed A topographic survey of an area of ridge and furrow earthworks was undertaken by ULAS to fulfil a condition of planning permission. The survey confirmed that the earthworks are in a good state of preservation. Two sets of ridge and furrows were surveyed, together covering an area of approximately 3ha. X.A101.2016.

Ibstock, land at Station Road (SK 4008 1000) Chris Chinnock MOLA Northampton carried out an archaeological trial trench evaluation prior to the proposed residential development of the site; 15 trenches were excavated to investigate features identified in previous geophysical survey results. Archaeological features were largely limited to the southern and western parts of the development area, and comprised linear ditches, broadly dated to the Iron Age/Roman period, and further undated features. Furrows indicative of ridge and furrow cultivation were present in some of the trenches. X.A37.2014.

Kibworth Beauchamp, Fleckney Road (SK 4953 1192) Thomas Richardson A detailed gradiometry survey was conducted by Stratascan over approximately 7.9ha of pasture in April 2016. The survey identified an extension of the prehistoric or Roman enclosure complex detected by a previous survey of the area. A further pit may also relate to this activity; however, it could equally be agricultural or natural in origin. Evidence for ridge and furrow cultivation was also revealed across the site, suggesting that the area has been used for agricultural purposes since the medieval period. 218 john thomas

Kibworth Harcourt, land north of Fleckney Road Chris Chinnock (SP 67304 93919) A trial trench evaluation of 16 trenches was carried out by MOLA Northampton and commissioned by CgMs Consulting. Ditches, gullies, large pits and a possible trackway were tentatively dated to the Roman period. Truncated furrows of former ridge and furrow cultivation were present across the site, though in the eastern field they existed as extant earthworks. X.A91.2016.

Kirby Mallory, All Saints Church (SK 45480 00294) Susan Henderson A watching brief was carried out by ULAS during a scheme of groundworks in relation to surface drainage. There were three aspects to the monitoring. First, to monitor the excavation of ten gullies at points around the perimeter of the church. Second, to monitor the excavation of two soakaways and associated manholes. Third, to monitor the trenches excavated to accommodate pipes which joined the gullies with the soakaways. Evidence of a tiled floor and wall footings was found in two of the gullies on the north side of the church, and these features possibly relate to the existence of a former north aisle demolished in the early eighteenth century. A pit containing demolition material was found during excavation of the north-east soakaway and this may relate to the same event. Footings were also found on the south-east corner of the church and possibly relate to an earlier buttress. Four articulated skeletons and a quantity of disarticulated bone were re-interred in the south-east corner of the site. X.A105.2016.

Little Stretton, Manor Farm, Main Street Susan Henderson (SK 66907 00133) Archaeological attendance was carried out by ULAS during groundworks associated with the construction of a one-and-a-half-storey rear extension. This work involved, first, the supervision of topsoil removal and ground reduction by mechanical excavator for any indication of archaeological features, and second, the monitoring of the excavation of trenches to accommodate wall foundations. Landscaping of the site, possibly at the time of the construction of Manor Farm at the outset of the eighteenth century, was identified. A wall foundation, probably a boundary wall and likely to be contemporary with the early farmhouse, was also located. X.A98.2016.

Lockington, East Midlands Gateway Fieldwalking Patrick Daniel (SK 46750 27100) Fieldwalking was undertaken by Wessex Archaeology on 125ha of land between Lockington and Kegworth, as part of preliminary investigations into the proposed East Midlands Gateway rail freight interchange. Each of the 22 fields was divided in 25m transects (each 2m wide) for fieldwalking. archaeology in leicester, leicestershire and rutland 2016 219

Post-medieval material was ubiquitous and dominates the artefactual assemblage. Medieval finds represent 13 per cent by count and 10 per cent by weight of the total finds assemblage, and were restricted to pottery and tile. A very small amount of Romano-British pottery was collected (2 per cent by count and 1 per cent by weight of the total pottery assemblage). An assemblage of 71 pieces of worked flint was recovered; the earliest chronologically distinctive pieces are of Mesolithic or early Neolithic date. No significant concentrations of material types were identified in terms of the spatial distribution of finds. No significant correlations are apparent between artefact findspots and the locations of known archaeological remains. There is, however, a slight bias of medieval findspots near Lockington. Manuring is thought to account for the presence of the medieval and post-medieval artefacts. X.A168.2013.

Lockington, East Midlands Gateway LiDAR Assessment and Woodland Survey (SK 46510 27010) Chris Breeden An assessment of LiDAR data and a woodland survey were carried out by Wessex Archaeology over a total area of 241ha, covering some 43 fields, in advance of the proposed East Midlands Gateway. Interpretation of LiDAR data revealed the presence of former field boundaries, including the parish boundary between Lockington–Hemington and Kegworth, along with areas of ridge and furrow – particularly in the west of the site, part of the immediate agricultural hinterland of Castle Donington. The woodland survey also identified areas of ridge and furrow, as well as the presence of a pre-nineteenth-century arable field. X.A168.2013.

Lockington, East Midlands Gateway Evaluation and Patrick Daniel Test Pitting (SK 46500 27000) An evaluation near Lockington, comprising 160 trial trenches and 205 hand- excavated test pits, was undertaken by Wessex Archaeology, in advance of the proposed East Midlands Gateway. The evaluation defined the extent of archaeological remains, predominantly of Iron Age and Romano-British date, known from a previous evaluation in 2014, as well as providing further information about their nature and date. A probable burnt mound and associated ‘pot boiler’ pits of general prehistoric date were the earliest features uncovered; typically, these are often of Bronze Age date. Middle Iron Age land boundaries were recorded in the west of the site, with later Iron Age and Romano-British enclosures recorded in other areas. Environmental samples taken from Iron Age and Romano-British features are dominated by the remains of spelt wheat, with probable remains of rye from securely dated Roman deposits and some evidence of malting. A modest artefactual assemblage was recovered, including a Roman copper alloy hairpin and a coin. No significant post- Roman remains were encountered. Only 24 struck flints were recovered from the 205 excavated test pits, with over half recovered from a low promontory just south of King Street Plantation, perhaps indicating a focus of prehistoric activity. X.A168.2013. 220 john thomas

Long Clawson, land off Hickling Lane (SK 7174 2696) T. Linington Trent & Peak Archaeology carried out an archaeological trial trench evaluation in advance of proposed residential development. The evaluation revealed archaeological evidence for medieval activity across the development site, including the foundations of a stone structure associated with thirteenth-century pottery, and a number of ditches associated with pottery dating between the tenth and thirteenth centuries. Furrows and post-medieval land drains were present across the proposed development area.

Loughborough, Grange Park (SK 538 170) James Fairclough, Tim Sharman A watching brief undertaken by MOLA Northampton recorded a small area of possible late second and fourth centuries AD Roman occupation, comprising a ring ditch and post-hole and associated pits, with dispersed field boundary ditches. Medieval ridge and furrow, and two post-medieval field boundary ditches, were also identified. X.A33.2016.

Lubenham, Westgate Lane (SP 70319 87206) Gemma Hewitt, Carol Simmonds An evaluation carried out by MOLA Northampton identified ditches which probably defined medieval tenement plot boundaries or other land divisions. A small quantity of pottery, of tenth to fourteenth century date, was recovered from the fills of the ditches. Subsequent to the evaluation LiDAR data and historic map evidence was considered, and clearly showed that there had been tenements on the eastern side of the site, fronting onto Westgate Lane until the mid-nineteenth century. An ensuing archaeological earthwork survey identified four rectangular or sub- square raised platforms, which are likely to define medieval and post-medieval tenement plots and yard areas. It is probable that this part of the village had an informal grid system perpendicular to Westgate Lane. These were separated by linear hollows which may have been tracks. Contraction of the settlement from this area is likely to have taken place after. To the north and west of these earthworks were the remnants of medieval ridge and furrow, a post-enclosure field boundary, drainage ditches and the former course of a stream bed visible as an Oxbow lake. X.A141.2015.

Lutterworth, Land east of Leicester Road (SP 5474 8602) Susan Porter An archaeological strip, plan and record excavation was undertaken by MOLA Northampton prior to the proposed development of the site. Two open excavation areas targeted concentrations of archaeology identified during an earlier trial trench evaluation by Allen Archaeology in 2014. Area 1 targeted a possible Saxon ditch and Roman pit. Six ditches of Roman date and a single Roman pit were identified, alongside several undated ditches. Cutting the Roman ditches was a series of post- medieval drains, and ridge and furrow cultivation. A smaller area, Area 2, identified two furrows. X.A110.2015. archaeology in leicester, leicestershire and rutland 2016 221

Lutterworth, Magna Park (SP 504 847) Iain Leslie, Mike Luke, Adam Williams, Ben Barker Between August and September 2016, Albion Archaeology undertook open-area excavation in advance of the possible expansion of Magna Park, Lutterworth. The site had previously been evaluated by geophysical survey and trial trenching. The excavation comprised six small areas, totalling c.1.5ha, and revealing evidence of early–middle Iron Age and Roman activity. The three most significant areas are shown in Fig. 8. Early–middle Iron Age activity predominantly comprised an extensive linear boundary with attached small enclosures, reminiscent of what are referred to as ‘washing line’ systems. Adjacent to the boundary, but not always within enclosures, evidence for small-scale settlement activity was identified, such as a roundhouse, pits and post-holes. A further boundary ditch towards the northern limit of the development area was investigated, but no other contemporary features were found. Roman activity was identified in two separate locations. To the west and adjacent to the A5 (which follows the course of Roman Watling Street) were ditches, as well as pits and post-holes. The activity extended beyond the limits of the development area, and, therefore, its full extent and character remain uncertain. We would like to acknowledge the assistance of volunteers from the Leicestershire Fieldworkers (mainly from Lutterworth), who undertook additional hand excavation under Albion’s supervision once the main investigations were complete. X.A86.2015. OASIS reference: albionar1-220845.

Fig. 8. The main excavation areas at Magna Park. © Albion Archaeology. 222 john thomas

Market Bosworth, Holy Bones, 10 Church Street Nathan Flavell (SK 40691 03221) An archaeological strip, map and sample excavation was carried out by ULAS on 16–18 February 2016. The work was undertaken in advance of a proposed property extension and construction of separate garages. A medieval pit, an undated gully and a number of small post-medieval features were uncovered during the work. X.A26.2016.

Market Harborough, Manor Farm (SP 719 876) Mike Luke, Ben Barker, Ben Carroll From September 2016, Albion Archaeology has been undertaking open-area excavation and further evaluation trenching in advance of residential development at Manor Farm, Market Harborough. The investigations to date have uncovered three early Iron Age pit alignments, middle/late Iron Age boundaries and settlements, an early Roman settlement, and evidence for medieval open fields. The work is ongoing and therefore a summary will be published in next year’s transactions when all fieldwork is complete. X.A65.2014. OASIS reference: albionar1-177938.

Market Harborough, Overstone Park, Kettering Road Julie Walker (SP 7476 8639) In April and May 2016, Archaeological Solutions Ltd carried out an archaeological trial trench evaluation prior to the submission of planning proposals for the residential development of the site. The site comprises agricultural land and extends to some 38ha. Two principal enclosures or settlement areas were recorded in the northern part of the site, while a less prominent enclosure was located between the two. The enclosures or settlement areas were broadly contemporary, dating to the late Iron Age to early Romano-British period, but varied in their character, particularly in terms of the associated pottery assemblages. The soils filling the archaeological features became increasingly more organic towards the western side of the site. The Iron Age/Romano-British archaeology appears to be directly related to similarly dated evidence recorded to the immediate west during a previous part of the project, a suggestion supported by the results of geophysical survey on the site.

Market Harborough, St Luke’s Hospital, 33 Leicester Road Roger Kipling (SP 72625 88186) An archaeological watching brief was undertaken by ULAS in December 2015 during the course of site clearance prior to construction of a new hospital wing. The watching brief revealed evidence of the earlier nineteenth-century workhouse that previously occupied the site, and provided constructional detail in the form of wall footings and other structural elements. Previous groundworks undertaken archaeology in leicester, leicestershire and rutland 2016 223 in 2010 to the east had found large areas of disturbance, but had also identified parts of the eastern side of the workhouse. As well as part of the western quadrant, the footprint of an ancillary building depicted on the first edition Ordnance Survey map had survived largely intact as below-ground structural footings. There were no indications of the survival of any earlier remains. X.A137.2015.

Measham, Minorca (SK 350 114) Wayne Jarvis A watching brief was carried out by ULAS at Minorca Measham surface mine to the east of Gallows Lane, between Measham and Swepstone, for UK Coal Mining Ltd. The scheme of archaeological work included a strip map and sample excavation during overburden removal, and an intermittent watching brief on deeper coal extraction works. The fieldwork revealed archaeological activity in two areas. At the south end of the site close to Bosworth Road, a firepit with heat-cracked stone was recorded (Fig. 9). The pit also still had the burnt wood fuel surviving in situ. This feature is potentially of Anglo-Saxon date, as it is relatively near to features of this date identified in the 2011 evaluation. In the northern area of the site and close to Swepstone Road, valuable evidence for late nineteenth- to early twentieth-century coal mining was recorded. This included a series of adits or rooms (mine workings) which can be tied in to a mining abandonment plan showing that these were part of Measham Mine, and that this area of the mine was disused by 1905. Within one of the rooms a coal tub (cart) manufactured in oak and iron was also recovered, along with a short stretch of iron rail (Fig. 10). X.A52.2012.

Fig. 9. Firepit with wood fuel and heat-cracked stones at Minorca, Measham. © ULAS. 224 john thomas

Fig. 10. The coal ‘tub’ from Minorca, Measham. © ULAS.

Melton Mowbray, Hilltop Farm, Nottingham Road Adam Clapton (SK 74111 21026) An archaeological field evaluation was carried out by ULAS in advance of development proposals for new housing. An earlier geophysical survey had located anomalies most likely relating to Iron Age or Romano-British settlement activity. Seven trenches were excavated across the area with positive results in five of them. With the exception of a single pit, all features appeared to represent either ditches or gullies, and were associated with pottery sherds indicating a mid–late Iron Age date. X.A6.2016.

Melton Mowbray, New Guadaloupe, Leicester Road Tim Higgins (SK 741 180) An archaeological field evaluation was undertaken by ULAS between 8 March and 4 April 2016. The work was carried out in response to development proposals for housing and followed a phase of geophysical survey across the site. The geophysical survey was undertaken by TIGERGEO, which concluded that the site had significant archaeological potential. The survey results suggested an extensive settlement of probable Iron Age to Roman date, and had also identified a possible rectangular anomaly to the south in addition to ridge and furrow. The evaluation revealed evidence for a long period of human activity on the site. The earliest was a Mesolithic leaf-shaped flint microlith recovered from a group of pit features, located within the south-west side corner of the development. archaeology in leicester, leicestershire and rutland 2016 225

A discrete area of Early Bronze Age activity was located in the north-eastern part of the site, and comprised a ditch and a pit. The pit contained Beaker pottery dating from c.2200–1900 BC, and the features were sealed by a potential buried soil and colluvial deposit. Trenches in the northern part of the development area targeted c.7.5ha of trapezoidal-shaped enclosure identified in the geophysical survey. The features investigated included roundhouse eaves drip gullies, large rectangular and penannular shaped enclosures, all of which produced pottery indicating an Iron Age date. All the archaeological features revealed in the evaluation corroborated the evidence from the geophysical survey. Other trenches confirmed the presence of rectangular field enclosures and other areas that had more sporadic distribution of enclosure ditches and roundhouse gullies. At the southern end of the development an extensive area of Roman occupation of third and fourth century date was revealed. The trenches targeted rectangular geophysical anomalies and revealed numerous features, including ditches, post- holes and possible beam-slots. A number of the trenches contained north-north-east to south-south-west orientated medieval furrows that corresponded well with the geophysical survey. X.A31.2016.

Melton Mowbray, Nottingham Road (SK 7457 2076) Ben Barker Albion Archaeology carried out a strip, map and record excavation in advance of residential development. Previous work on the site, including geophysical survey, trench evaluation and earthwork survey, had identified a concentration of archaeological remains which the excavation targeted. The excavation revealed an Iron Age boundary ditch that crossed the site on a NW–SE alignment. Pits and post-holes located nearby may be associated, but precise dating of the features was problematic. The ditch had gone out of use and filled in before the area was used for agriculture, and a system of ridge and furrow introduced. X.A56.2016.

Nether Broughton, land off Hecadeck Lane Lawrence Morgan-Shelbourne (SK 6931 2595) PCA carried out an archaeological evaluation between 31 May and 8 June 2016. The project was undertaken in response to development proposals, with the aim of characterising the archaeological potential of the site. The principal result of the evaluation was the recording of a dense complex of archaeological features reflecting activity from the Early Anglo-Saxon through to the medieval period. The settlement related features included boundary and drainage ditches, rubbish pits and post-holes, some of which represented fence lines. These features were associated with small quantities of finds, including animal bone, pottery of predominantly Early Anglo-Saxon through to medieval date (fifth–fourteenth century) and fired clay. The finds indicate both domestic and agricultural activity, with the focus of settlement and the densest clusters of archaeological features being 226 john thomas located to the south and eastern parts of the site, although significant quantities of archaeological remains were also found to the north and west. The findings are in keeping with the results of previous excavations and survey, in this part of Nether Broughton, which identified Anglo-Saxon and medieval boundary ditches and other features 100m to the east of the site, as well as a shrunken medieval village comprised of a moated site, enclosures and building platforms clustered around St Mary’s Church, to the north-east.

Nevill Holt, The Stable Block, Nevill Holt Hall (SP 816 937) Leon Hunt Archaeological work was carried out by ULAS in advance of the removal of a temporary opera house structure and its replacement by a permanent structure. The groundworks for the new building would include the deepening of the current orchestra pit within the stable courtyard, and other excavations that would most likely destroy the extant archaeological remains within the site. Nevill Holt Hall comprises a complex set of buildings, with origins in the thirteenth century. The stable block is also a complex structure, dating from the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries with many changes and alterations, and most likely built on the footprint of an earlier hospital. A series of archaeological investigations carried out during renovation work on the Hall between 2000 and 2004, and on the stable block between 2005 and 2006, recorded walls and surfaces possibly related to earlier structural phases. The new work involved the archaeological monitoring of the stripping of the courtyard down to archaeological layers or natural sub-stratum in advance of the next stage of work, and the recording of a number of exploratory test pits in and around the stable block. The test pits revealed information on the various foundations of the stable buildings and the stripping of the courtyard revealed a number of features that had previously been revealed. These were recorded in greater detail before their eventual destruction. X.A112.2016.

New Lubbesthorpe, Lubbesthorpe Bridle Road Matthew Beamish, and environs (SK 531 017) Donald Clark, Wayne Jarvis Work was undertaken as part of a staged project to assess the impact on potential heritage assets by ULAS on a series of areas within the proposed mixed use development of New Lubbesthorpe. As part of the assessment, an archaeological field evaluation by trial trenching and earthwork assessment was carried out during December 2015. Analysis of aerial LiDAR survey was undertaken over an area of known earthworks interpreted as a medieval fishpond (Hartley 1989, SK 528 019). Also during this phase, 45 trenches were excavated targeting residential and infrastructure areas in the north of the proposed scheme. The majority of the proposed area proved negative during the current phase of works. Follow-up trenching near Old Warren Farm and Hatt Spinney, around two areas of previously identified prehistoric activity, did not reveal any further features. In the west of the archaeology in leicester, leicestershire and rutland 2016 227

Fig. 11. Excavating the two Bronze Age urns from New Lubbesthorpe, Area 1. © ULAS. proposed site near to Beggars Lane (SK 525 015), a small amount of worked flint was recovered from stratified deposits, and evidence for burning was identified in the form of charcoal. Several linear features of uncertain date were also identified in the west. Here, new attenuation ponds were to be constructed so a strip was carried out exposing a series of features, including several possible enclosures or field systems, pits and post-built structures. Very little dating was found associated with the features which included a small rectangular building, although some struck flint and Roman pottery was recovered. Mitigation strips were also carried out on several other areas where earlier evaluations had identified features. The first area (Area 1, for Main Street, SK 538 019) produced two urned cremations of probable middle Bronze Age date, along with further un-urned examples (Fig. 11). Four roundhouses, two with semi- circular gullies, were also recorded, along with other evidence of occupation. Very little pottery was present, but what there is appears to be contemporary with the cremations located 12m to the east. West of Old Warren Farm (SK 529 021) a mitigation strip targeted another area around two middle Bronze Age urned cremations, identified during earlier evaluative work (see TLAHS 90, 315–16). A further cremation without an urn was excavated and several other related features were also identified.X.A112.2011.

Reference

Hartley, R. F., 1989 The Medieval Earthworks of Central Leicestershire. Leicester: Leicestershire Museums, Art Galleries and Records Services. 228 john thomas

Fig. 12. Location of Trenches 1–4 (2015) and Trenches 7–9 (2016) excavated on the moated site. © University of Leicester/ULAS.

Newtown Linford, Bradgate Park Jennifer Browning, James Harvey, (SK 532 108 centre) Richard Thomas The second season of excavation at Bradgate Park, by the University of Leicester, took place from June to July 2016, following on from evaluations undertaken in 2015. This season’s work once again focused primarily on the scheduled moated archaeology in leicester, leicestershire and rutland 2016 229 site, which is widely considered to be the location of a park keeper’s lodge (Fig. 12). Trench 7 covered the entire footprint of the medieval building evaluated in 2015 (Trenches 2 and 4) to confirm its layout and construction, and to understand its development and function. Trench 8 was excavated within the north-east quadrant of the platform in order to search for further areas of rubbish disposal associated with the occupation of the site. Trench 9 formed a southern extension of Trench 3, which was located at the entranceway to the platform and excavated in 2015 to ascertain whether the current entrance is contemporary with the moat or the result of later backfilling. Further exploratory excavation was also undertaken outside the western range of Bradgate House in the search for further occupation waste-relating to the house (Trench 11 and test pits).

Scheduled Moated Site The building Removal of the topsoil and subsoil within Trench 7 revealed extensive rubble spreads consisting of stone, ceramic ridge tile and roof slates, probably sourced locally from Groby, and including some possibly re-used Roman slates. The rubble was concentrated within the central northern and south-western areas of the trench (around the external chimney stacks), and reflected several episodes of collapse after the building’s abandonment. A low stone wall was revealed beneath the disuse deposits. This defined a building c.21m × 8m, orientated on an east–west axis. Whilst the stone walls were visible archaeologically, it is likely that the structural component of the building was timber. Three pairs of large, flat-topped granite blocks were positioned opposite each other along the line of the north and south walls at regular intervals. These formed the padstones that would have originally supported large timber posts, creating five bays. The central three bays were c.4m wide, the slightly raised eastern bay was narrower at c.3.75m, while the western bay was widest, measuring c.4.5m. The east wall had no corner padstones, possibly suggesting a lean-to rather than a gable end. Towards the western end there was a narrow partition wall with a 1.6m gap in the centre, probably representing the division between a large hall to the east and the service bay to the west. Two padstones were inset from this corner along this wall and were aligned with two rubble-filled gaps in the western wall, hinting that further padstones had been removed from these locations. The surviving structural remains indicated that the building was a timber-framed ‘base-cruck’ open hall with a spere truss at the western (and possible eastern) end, potentially forming a parlour or private chamber at the high (east) end of the hall and the service bay to the west. The walls had been constructed directly on top of the moated platform; there was no evidence of a construction cut. The walls were presumably constructed after the erection of the timber frame and probably butted up against the posts. The position of the building’s entrance was difficult to establish, although a c.1.6m wide gap in the northern wall, immediately west of the partition, provided the main clue to its location. Several flattish stones lying within the gap possibly formed a rudimentary threshold, although these were not laid neatly or tessellated. 230 john thomas

The wall on either side of the gap was not well finished, suggesting that it originally contained a wooden doorframe. One of the main characteristics of the building (and the site in general) was the insubstantial evidence for domestic occupation, perhaps suggesting that the building was infrequently occupied or that the occupation was relatively short- lived. ‘Occupation’ levels manifested as layers of gravel butting onto the interior of the walls. These had survived best closest to the walls, which had presumably offered some protection against the elements following abandonment. The gravel layer was not a level ‘floor’ but appeared to be a consolidation layer, which had presumably lain below floor surfaces (such as beaten earth and rushes) that have not survived. Signs of burning were identified in several locations across the interior of the building, but were not consistent with the position of a central hearth. It is possible that they were associated with the abandonment phase. Patterns of burning observed in the eastern bay may hint that it was a smoke-bay, as suggested last year, but these too could be associated with post-abandonment activity. A small amount of pottery recovered from the gravel layer dated broadly from the mid-thirteenth to fourteenth century and provides a terminus post quem for the construction of the building. This complemented the dating of the Chilvers Coton ridge tile that was recovered from the demolition’s layers. The northern chimney (previously seen in 2015) that was positioned between the two central padstones within the open hall, was fully excavated. It formed a substantial fireplace, measuring over 2m in length and 1.2m deep (internally), and contained a possible floor consisting of crushed granite fragments. A smaller chimney, measuring 1.3m wide and equally deep, was located against the western side of the building. The interior faces of the stones were reddened and heat-cracked, and when

Fig. 13. An orthophotograph of Trench 7, generated from the 3D model produced by photogrammetry. © University of Leicester/ULAS. archaeology in leicester, leicestershire and rutland 2016 231 observed in profile appeared to be progressively curved, as though forming the base of a dome. These characteristics indicated that the feature was more likely to be an oven than an open fireplace, in keeping with its position within the presumed service bay. Entirely recessed fireplaces are not a typical feature of timber-framed buildings until the late fourteenth or fifteenth century, and therefore it is suggested that the chimneys must represent later additions to the building. A single pit represents the only pre-building feature recorded on the moated site. It was located directly beneath its southern wall and truncated a buried soil suggested to represent the pre-platform ground level. The feature contained a high quantity of charcoal that appeared to be predominantly a dump of fuel ash. Unfortunately, no dating evidence was recovered from the pit, although pottery dating from both the Roman and Anglo-Saxon periods was recovered from residual contexts elsewhere on the platform. Photogrammetry formed an important tool of recording the deposits associated with the building, especially the mapping of the extensive rubble deposits that needed to be removed to uncover the building. A 3D model of Trench 7 after its excavation was also produced through photogrammetry (Fig. 13) and is available to view online at: https://skfb.ly/R7TF.

The platform and entranceway Trench 8 exposed a large area of the platform within the north-east corner of the moated site. A small quantity of Roman tile was recovered from the subsoil, but no occupation layers or archaeological features were located within this area. The trench did, however, provide an opportunity to examine the make-up of the platform close to the northern arm of the moat, which was particularly thick within this area. Sample excavation revealed that the platform in this location consisted of a c.0.3m thick layer of re-deposited natural clay that is likely to have been spread across the platform and created from soil generated during the moat excavation. The platform overlaid a buried soil (seen below the gravel layer around the building) that covered further natural clayey silts and gravel layers. Unfortunately, inclement weather during the middle part of the season prevented excavation of further sections through the moat in this area, with a view to retrieving environmental and artefactual evidence. The weather hampered our progress within Trench 9, located at the current entranceway onto the platform. Here, a rough cobble surface was exposed, although this appeared to form part of a consolidation layer over the top of a later field drain, rather than relating to the occupation of the building. Constant inundation from the drain prevented further excavation. Instead, a series of auger holes were bored into the entrance area, which revealed natural subsoils and no sign of moat deposits, confirming that the entranceway was an original feature and had never been part of the moat.

Bradgate House Area Trench 11 was located c.10m south-west of the south-western tower of Bradgate House, adjacent to a test pit excavated in 2015 that had yielded a high quantity 232 john thomas of animal bone that presumably represents domestic waste from the occupation of the house. Unfortunately, the majority of the trench had been truncated by a large ‘L’-shaped trench dating to the twentieth century that could be associated with the military training exercises that are known to have been undertaken in and around the ruins. A significant number of residual flints were also recovered, including a Late Upper Palaeolithic micro-piercer (L. Cooper, pers. comm.). The trench was extended to avoid the truncation, but the targeted deposits within this extension were found to be thinner than expected. Possible evidence of later landscaping of the terrace was recorded that overlaid these deposits. Two test pits (11 and 13) were also excavated to the west of Bradgate House, targeting mounded earthworks. Both produced extensive brick rubble, suggesting that the mounds related to either the demolition of the house or later clearance episodes. A rich deposit was reached at the base of the rubble within Test Pit 13. Pottery recovered from this soil suggested that it may represent a gradual accumulation of material, potentially dumped as domestic waste from the house, between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Much of the material may also have been periodically removed and transported elsewhere. The refuse layer overlaid re- deposited clay, similar in character to the platform make-up seen elsewhere around the perimeter and inside the house. A fragment of inlaid medieval floor tile was recovered from this deposit.

Fig. 14. Stone structure located on the rocky outcrop to the south-east of Bradgate House (Test Pit 14). © University of Leicester/ULAS. archaeology in leicester, leicestershire and rutland 2016 233

A further test pit (14) was excavated on a rocky outcrop 20m north-west of Trench 11, in order to evaluate its potential as a Late Upper Palaeolithic site. This had been prompted by the discovery of a number of residual flints nearby. The location of the outcrop represents the next edge of high ground, east of Little Matlock Gorge. The test pit produced totally unexpected results when it revealed a narrow stone wall on an east–west alignment, with a laid stone floor on its southern side (Fig. 14). Fragments of slate on its northern side suggested that the structure had been roofed. Its curious location will merit future investigation.

Ravenstone, land at Ibstock Road (SK 405 132) Gemma Hewitt MOLA Northampton was commissioned to carry out an evaluation and observation of groundworks on land at Ibstock Road, Ravenstone. Two undated shallow ditches were the only archaeological features present. X.A89.2016.

Rothley, Charnwood Roots Project (SP 584 128) Julie Attard, Mathew Morris In July 2016 an archaeological dig was organised for the community of Rothley, Leicestershire by the Charnwood Roots Project, a Leicestershire Victoria County History Trust initiative funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. This was the third and final year of excavation within the project, which previously investigated Anstey in 2014 and Whitwick in 2015. The dig was supported by staff of ULAS and over 150 volunteers from the local community, wider county, and students and staff from the University of Leicester. A total of 32 1m2 test pits were excavated with a goal of evaluating the nature of Rothley’s settlement history, and promoting local history and heritage to the community (Fig. 15).

Fig. 15. Community archaeology in action during the Rothley test-pitting project. © Charnwood Roots Project/ULAS. 234 john thomas

Overall, results suggest much of the village has experienced some ground disturbance from the post-medieval period onwards which may have removed earlier deposits. Finds of Anglo-Saxon and medieval date were surprisingly scarce considering the known antiquity of the village, and extensive evidence of Anglo- Saxon activity in the surrounding landscape. Nearly half the pits did produce small quantities of worked flint; unsurprising, considering the significant Neolithic and Bronze Age remains in the vicinity, but of particular note was a piece of a leaf-shaped arrowhead of Neolithic date. One pit dug close to a known Roman ‘villa’ site produced a large quantity of Roman pot, but no new Roman sites were identified. Due to the scarcity of recovered material, settlement development could only be identified from the late medieval period onwards, with two settlement foci suggested at Town Green and in the village centre to the north of the parish church. One feature of note was excavated in a test pit behind a seventeenth-century timber- framed cottage on Fowke Street. This has been identified as a stone wall foundation, most likely part of a wing projection of the building which is no longer extant, but is visible on the first edition Ordnance Survey map of 1888 (demolished before 1904). X.A79.2016.

Shawell, land off Church Lane (SP 540 798) Michael Southall Following a positive magnetometer survey, which produced evidence for Iron Age and Roman settlement (Her Ref. MLE16712), Lutterworth Fieldworking and Archaeological Group have carried out investigative trenching, at the request of the landowner, since 2014. The fieldwork investigated an outer enclosure ditch revealed by the geophysics, and recovered substantial Roman pottery sherds, dating between the first to fourth century. More recent work has recovered Iron Age pottery sherds, indicating a longer period of occupation. In 2016 a circular feature identified in the geophysical survey was partially excavated and found to be a curving gully. The function of this feature is currently unclear, although it could be related to a roundhouse or small enclosure. A cremation urn, dating to around 1800 BC, was found just outside the circular gully. This burial was found below the grave of a neonate child, possibly of later date. Three additional burials, comprising two neonates and an older baby, were also encountered, but these were located inside the circular gully. The burials were lifted and taken away by a qualified osteoarchaeologist for further examination. During the course of the excavations, a number of coins have been found, the most notable of which is one of Antoninus Pius AD 151, as well as an Indented, or folded, grey ware pottery beaker. Further investigations of the area are ongoing. X.A119.2016.

Slawston, land south of the village and around Paul Bowman, Peter Liddle Othorpe House Farm Three seasons of fieldwork have been undertaken in Slawston parish, as a training exercise for new fieldwalkers, by the Leicestershire Fieldworkers in partnership with archaeology in leicester, leicestershire and rutland 2016 235

Hallaton Fieldworkers. Over ten fields have been walked to date. Significant finds include Roman sites at SP 776 941, including a very substantial scatter in excess of 100 sherds, and at SP 768 952, a smaller scatter of around 30 sherds. Neither scatter produced significant amounts of stone or tile, suggesting that an associated settlement may have consisted of timber buildings. A small scatter of Anglo-Saxon pottery was found at SP 777 940. East and north-east of Othorpe House, around SK 772 956, a large scatter of Saxo-Norman and Early Medieval pottery was recovered marking the deserted settlement of Othorpe. There was very little late medieval pottery, but a small amount of Roman pottery was recovered.

Sutton-in-the-Elms, land at Sutton Circuit (SP 515 944) Stephen Baker ULAS carried out an archaeological investigation by trial trenching between 13 and 17 June 2016, in advance of a proposed residential development of the area. The evaluation revealed well-preserved archaeological remains relating to Iron Age occupation, including ditches, gullies, post-holes and pits. X.A71.2016.

Syston, land on the Fosse Way (SK 6208 1244, SK 6210 1251) Ben Kidd, Tim Sharman A watching brief was carried out during work to replace two culverts on the Fosse Way at Syston by MOLA Northampton. A possible agger (built-up layers for a road) and two possible former roadside ditches of unknown date, and several layers of modern made ground, were observed. X.A111.2014.

Thurcaston, land west of Anstey Lane and East of Cropston Road Peter Liddle Five fields were walked in the parish of Thurcaston by largely inexperienced fieldwalkers, being trained by the Charnwood Roots Project and led by Peter Liddle. Only one significant site was located at SK 562 102, where a closely grouped scatter of Roman pottery consisted of over 20 sherds, mostly from grey ware vessels. Dateable sherds included a late first-century copy of a Gallo-Belgic platter, and third/fourth-century colour-coated wares and mortarium. No significant amount of associated building materials was recovered, perhaps suggesting that any settlement features consisted of timber or cob buildings.

Ullesthorpe, land north of Fairway Meadows (SP 5083 8797) Paul Clements In October 2016 an archaeological trial trench evaluation was carried out by MOLA Northampton on land north of Fairway Meadows. The works identified medieval to post-medieval ridge and furrow cultivation, and a natural linear hollow representing a possible palaeochannel. X.A106.2016.

Waltham on the Wolds, land at Bescaby Lane (SK 80734 25042) Gavin Speed ULAS carried out an archaeological investigation in response to redevelopment proposals. A topographic survey of an area of ridge and furrow earthworks was 236 john thomas undertaken which confirmed that the earthworks are in a good state of preservation. Two sets of ridge and furrows were surveyed, and cover an area of approximately 1.9ha. X.A10.2016.

Waltham on the Wolds, Hall Farm, Mere Road Richard Huxley (SK 8053 2532) Following geophysical survey and a trial trench evaluation, ULAS carried out a strip map and sample excavation in advance of residential development. The archaeology was found to be predominantly of the Late Iron Age to early Roman period, with part of a large enclosure and ring gully on the eastern edge of the site. Industrial waste, in the form of fuel ash, hearth lining and heated limestone blocks, was found within these features and the pits surrounding them. Accompanying the industrial activity, the pits revealed evidence of farming, and several shallow parallel gullies projecting from the large enclosure may represent part of a contemporary field system. The evidence indicates that the site is on the fringes of a small rural settlement or farmstead, which appears to be mostly located beneath Mere Road and the field to the east. X.A14.2016.

Wymondham, Spring Lane Andrew Hyam ULAS undertook excavation work in August 2016 on land at Spring Farm, in advance of the construction of an all-weather horse exercise arena. The work began as a four-trench evaluation, but, due to the quantity and quality of the archaeology, was immediately followed by an archaeological excavation of the entire arena area. Earlier work by the University of Nottingham on land to the north of the exercise arena took place between 2002 and 2004, and had revealed evidence of a third- or fourth-century Roman villa or farmstead (TLAHS 77, 152–3). The 2016 excavation revealed in situ foundations of property boundary walls, demolition layers, linear features and pits. The results probably represent peripheral activity associated with the previously investigated villa or farmstead. Dating evidence associated with the activity indicates land use ranging from the late-first century through to the early-fourth century AD. The presence of a substantial stone boundary wall of probable third or early-fourth century date suggests a major rebuilding and redevelopment of the villa estate at this time. This date seems likely to reflect the results of the University of Nottingham work. A number of post- medieval deposits and stone-lined drains were also identified during the work. X.A93.2016.

Historic Building Recordings Ashby Folville Mushroom Sheds between 15 and 21 Folville Street (SK 7078 1204) Witham Archaeology. Barton in the Beans Nissen Huts adjacent to 7 Nailstone Road (SK 3994 0647) Archaeological Building Recording Services. Coalville Workspace, 17 Highfield Street (SK 42261 13475) ULAS. archaeology in leicester, leicestershire and rutland 2016 237

Dadlington Apple Orchard Farm, Fenn Lanes (SP 39507 98872) Archaeology & Built Heritage. Donington-le-Heath The Farm, Manor Road (SK 42059 12469) Richard Hayman/ ULAS. Gilmorton Sleath Farm, Ashby Road (SP 570 882) ULAS. Glenfield Glebe Farm, Kirby Road (SK 5320 0558) Archaeological Building Recording Services. Kilby Limes Farm, Main Street (SP 6189 9544) ULAS. Launde Launde Abbey Chapel (SK 7973 0436) Archaeology & Built Heritage. Lubenham Holme’s Farm outbuildings, Foxton Road (SP 6976 8834) Archaeological Building Recording Services. Market Harborough The Settling Rooms, Springfield Street (SP 73708 87075) ULAS. Melton Mowbray The Former War Memorial Hospital, Ankle Hill (SK 153 185) ULAS. Queniborough Manor House Farm, 85 Main Street (SK 65062 12020) Trigpoint Conservation & Planning Ltd. Tilton on the Hill Manor House, Main Street (SK 74311 05511) ULAS.

Negative watching briefs, evaluations in Leicestershire (undertaken by ULAS unless otherwise stated) Appleby Magna: Stoney Lane (SK 31619 10103); Dadlington: Apple Orchard Farm, Fenn Lanes (SP 39507 98872 – Archaeology & Built Heritage); Desford: Land south of Hunt’s Lane (SK 47022 03085); Desford: Land to the east of 2 Newbold Road (SK 47717 03684); Earl Shilton: 76 Heath Lane (SP 457 978); Enderby: Land off Beggars Lane (SK 5314 0046); Foxton: 27 Main Street (SP 70129 90111); Gilmorton: Mill Lane (SP 573 879); Great Easton: 28 Broadgate (SP 84475 93168); Hallaton: Land south of Eastgate (SP 7881 9641); Harby: Land at Boyer’s Orchard (SK 749 313); Heather: Land west of the village (SK 3860 1089); Higham on the Hill: Land at Hilary Bevin’s Close (SP 379 957); Higham on the Hill: MAB4 Building, MIRA (SP 36821 96192); Leire: Leire Lodge, Main Street (SP 525 901); Lutterworth: Land west of Coventry Road (SP 5285 8445); Market Bosworth: 48 Barton Road (SK 4055 0355 – Archaeology Warwickshire); Market Harborough: Hind Yard, 13, High Street (SP 7325 8724); Melton Mowbray: The Former Ambulance Station, Leicester Road (SK 74693 18825); Melton Mowbray: Land at Scalford Road (SK 752 211 – MOLA Northampton); Mountsorrel: Mountsorrel Quarry, Kinchley Lane (SK 562 143); Orton on the Hill: 46 Main Street (SP 6189 9544); Potters Marston: Dovecote Court Business Park, Potters Marston Hall, Stanton Lane (SP 4970 9635 – Archaeology & Built Heritage); Ravenstone: Land east of Hall Farm (SK 43994 31385); Ravenstone: Land west of Heather Lane (SK 3954 1313 – CA); Sapcote: Hinckley Road (SP 483 933 – MOLA Northampton); Sharnford: Roadley House Farm, 8 Leicester Road (SP 47787 91656 – MOLA Northampton); Shepshed: 2a Bridge Street (SK 447900 319900); Stathern: Land on Tofts Hill (SP 53485 95687); Stoke Golding: Land at Basin Bridge Farm (SP 238 john thomas

3969 9619 – Rubicon Heritage Services Ltd); Stoke Golding: ‘Cloneen’, Ivy Close (SP 39882 97304); Stoney Stanton: Land at Coventry Road (SP 508 938); West Langton: ‘Windy Slopes’, Melton Road (SK 71940 91323); Whitwick: St John the Baptist Church (SK 43441 16236).

RUTLAND All archives will be deposited with Rutland County Museum (RCM) under the accession number given at the end of each entry.

North Luffenham, St George’s Barracks (SK 46750 27100) Jamie McCarthy A 46 trial-trench evaluation by Wessex Archaeology, in advance of the redevelopment of St George’s Barracks, uncovered pits and ditches containing pottery dating to the Middle/Late Iron Age, suggesting a possible farmstead settlement of this period; though no definite structural remains were identified. A single pit dating to the Late Iron Age/Romano-British period suggests some continuity of occupation. Undated ditches and gullies were also recorded. Despite the nearby presence of a known Saxon cemetery, no remains dating to this period were uncovered. OAKRM:2015.18.

Ridlington, ‘100 Acres’ Field (SK 850020) Elaine Jones Fieldwalking was carried out on part of the ‘100 Acres’ field, south of the village of Ridlington, by the Rutland Local History & Record Society’s Archaeological Team over the winter of 2015–16. This project followed on from a previous survey of an adjacent field to the west of ‘Lees’ Barn’ (SK 845024), where six flint ‘blades’ from amongst over 400 struck pieces could be Upper Palaeolithic in date (Lynden Cooper, pers. comm.). The survey area is only c.4 km east of the nationally important Upper Palaeolithic site at Launde on the Leicestershire/Rutland border, and these discoveries add to the bigger picture of activity during this early period. The high north side of ‘100 Acres’ lies on the hard and porous Northampton Sand Ironstone at c.160mOD, and the field dips southwards down to the Whitby Mudstone at c.125mOD. The parish boundary between Ayston and Ridlington runs along the ‘Thornham Brook’, which is mentioned in the 1046 Saxon Charter for Ayston. Some 720 struck flints were recorded. These included a dense spread of 176 ‘blades’ on the upper south-facing slope near ‘Lees’ Barn’, between the 150 and 160m contours. In contrast, there was little flint on the exposed plateau at the top of the field. The ‘blade’ scatter could relate to a previously excavated pit containing Mesolithic flint, found on the Wing to Whatborough water pipeline. Some of the ‘blades’ were very heavily patinated, perhaps suggesting an earlier date. The 550 flint ‘flakes’ of the Late Neolithic–Early Bronze Age were, like the ‘blades’, densest around ‘Lees’ Barn’ on the upper slopes, but were not present on the plateau. The assemblage included scrapers, knives and the ‘butt end of a big beautiful tool’ identified by Tim Clough, amongst the 142 retouched pieces. archaeology in leicester, leicestershire and rutland 2016 239

Pottery included 96 Roman sherds, although these formed a general scatter with no evident concentrations. It is possible that they relate to archaeological features of similar date that were examined by ULAS on the Wing to Whatborough water pipeline easement in 1996. The survey also found medieval pottery, indicative of the common field system, and perhaps relating to Ridlington’s ‘South Field’. The 270 medieval potsherds comprised wares from Stamford and Lyvedon-Stanion (with possibly Nottingham and Bourne wares), as well as Midland Purple, Cistercian ware and other later material. The pottery indicates manuring of the common fields, possibly from tenth–eleventh century and before the establishment of the Royal Forest by the Normans. Just to the north of ‘100 Acres’, a small ‘bailey-shaped’ field close to Ridlington village at SK 848025 was surveyed in October 2016. A concentration of iron slag, presumably a smelting site, lay in the north-east corner of the field above Holygate Road. The cutting of the road 1–2m deep exposed a section below the slag, but any stratification is now overgrown with nettles and other verge plants. Four fragments of medieval glazed-floor tile, made in Lyvedon-Stanion (c.1100–1399), were the only clue to the dating of the slag.

Tickencote, Tickencote Lodge Farm (SK 8309 1400) Chris Caswell Allen Archaeology undertook a 20-trench evaluation to identify the nature and extent of archaeological remains, and to help inform plans for a Higher Level Stewardship Scheme (HLS). The evaluation revealed probable Bronze Age activity in the form of a ring barrow ditch with a possible inner ring. Anglo-Saxon pottery was found in the upper fills of the ditches and it is likely this is from a nearby settlement,identified during the construction of a pipeline in 1990. OAKRM:2016.24.

Uppingham, Leicester Road (SK 8580 0012) David Ingham, Mike Luke Following geophysical survey and trial trenching, Albion Archaeology excavated two areas totalling c.5ha in March and April 2016, in advance of residential development (Fig. 16). Area 1 contained a large middle Iron Age ditch, which was extensive enough that it may have formed part of a boundary rather than an enclosure. A scatter of small pits was present alongside the ditch; these are thought to have been contemporary with it, although dating evidence is restricted to a handful of middle Iron Age pottery sherds. Four of the pits had been lined with clay, which suggests that they were used for heating or collecting water. Area 2 contained a pit alignment. No firm date can be given for its construction, but its backfilling at least occurred in the middle Iron Age, with some suggestion in the northernmost pits of nearby domestic activity. The alignment’s relationship with the ditch in Area 1 is uncertain, as any physical relationship between the two lay outside the development area. There was no evidence for an associated bank, or for the pit alignment’s function, although the pits’ progressive northward increase 240 john thomas

Fig. 16. Plans and photographs of excavated features at Leicester Road, Uppingham. © Albion Archaeology. archaeology in leicester, leicestershire and rutland 2016 241 in depth appeared to relate to the level of the water table. It is unclear, however, whether this was to keep the pits dry in summer, or wet in winter. Two four-post structures and a number of other post-holes, pits and gullies were also revealed. Most of these are assumed to have been broadly contemporary with the line of pits, although one was stratigraphically later and contained sherds from a late Iron Age vessel. Later features were restricted to the remnants of medieval furrows and a small amount of modern activity. No earlier features were identified, but two residual flints and possibly a sherd of pottery indicate early prehistoric activity in the area. OAKRM:2016.2. OASIS ref. albionar1-246176.

Historic Building Recordings Little Casterton Frith Farm, Ryhall Road (TF 0198 11190) Neville Hall Archaeological Services. Market Overton The Wharf, Teigh Road (SK 8810 1611) Trigpoint Conservation & Planning Ltd. Oakham Friends Meeting House, 59 South Street (SK 8594 0869) The Architectural History Practice Ltd. Pickworth Taylor’s Farm, Casterton Lane (SK 99072 12489) ULAS. Uppingham Uppingham School (Meadhurst & The Thring Centre) (SP 86528 99943 & SP 86571 99774). Whissendine Grange Farm, Horton’s Lane (SK 8309 1400) Archaeological Building Recording Services.

Negative watching briefs and evaluations in Rutland (undertaken by ULAS unless otherwise stated) Market Overton: 17a Bowling Green Lane (SK 8890 1636 – Neville Hall Archaeological Services); Oakham: Catmose College Campus (SK 85264 09223 – MOLA Northampton); Oakham: land at the former Lonsdale House (SK 8541 0932 – Worcestershire Archaeology).

PORTABLE ANTIQUITIES SCHEME ANNUAL REPORT FOR LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND 2016 Wendy Scott, Finds Liaison Officer, Museums Service, Leicestershire County Council.

Objects recorded and period breakdown In 2016 the Leicestershire team, now consisting of the FLO, four volunteers and two self-recorders, have added 1,478 objects, in 1,287 records, from 116 finders. All, except one, were found by metal detecting or as chance finds during detecting. The scheme has recorded 1,162 objects (1,007 records) for Leicestershire and 184 objects (155 records) for Rutland. Roman artefacts and coins remain the most numerous finds reported, closely followed by medieval coins. 242 john thomas

Interesting objects recorded in Leicestershire Prehistoric Middle Palaeolithic discoid hand axe, LEIC-3464BE, Quorn, Leicestershire (Fig. 17) Not all our important finds are metalwork. An unusually well preserved ‘Bout Coupe’ type flint axe, a product of the Middle Palaeolithic Mousterian industry, was reported to me by a builder. It was found in a back garden during foundation digging.

Iron Age or early Roman probable sword fitting, LEIC-C69CAB, Arnesby Leicestershire This unusual terminal has the form of a human head with gaping mouth. It has various parallels which are thought to be part of a sword pommel. Only a handful of examples have so far been recorded. Early medieval Copper alloy shield mount, LVPL-9C8625, Cotesbach, Leicestershire (Fig. 18) This mount dates to the sixth- or seventh centuries (c.AD 525–650). It has accomplished Style I/2 decoration comprising four backward facing heads of beasts, with long jaws / beaks bent down to bite their own backs. It has been designated as of national importance as it is the best example we have recorded.

Lead alloy vat, LEIC-DCF738, East Goscote, Leicestershire The vat was found near the banks of the River Wreake, but its purpose is unknown. The PAS has recorded six other examples from across England. Several have been found as the container for tool hoards, including at Flixborough, Stidriggs and

Fig. 17. archaeology in leicester, leicestershire and rutland 2016 243

Fig. 18.

Westley Waterless. This example has similar components to two found inside each other at Flixborough. Dating the object is difficult, but the example from Stidriggs has a radiocarbon date of AD 775–892 at one standard deviation, so a range of 750–1000 is being proposed.

Coins from Leicestershire and Rutland There were 474 coins recorded for Leicestershire, and 62 for Rutland this year. For once, there were more medieval (186) examples recorded than Roman (182). Post- medieval examples numbered 153, early medieval nine, and Iron Age five. Roman Imperial Denarius, LEIC-9F6D14, Fleckney, Leicestershire (Fig. 19) A very rare silver Denarius of Trajan, whose reverse commemorates the completion of the VIA TRAIANA road between Benevento and Brindisi.

Fig. 19. 244 john thomas

Republican Denarius, LEIC-92BF64, Burton on the Wolds, Leicestershire A rare Republican Denarius which has been pierced. Evidence suggests that such piercing was to enable coins to be nailed to temple walls as offerings. Issued by Faustus Cornelius Sulla, Rome, 56BC. Early Medieval Penny of Ceolnoth, Archbishop of Canterbury, LEIC-D7641E, Wymeswold parish, Leicestershire (Fig. 20) This rare coin, dating to AD833–70, is unusually far away from its mint, as most are found closer to Canterbury. It also flagged up an interesting assemblage of early medieval coins and artefacts from the same area, confirming a previously unrecorded site.

Fig. 20.

Fig. 21. archaeology in leicester, leicestershire and rutland 2016 245

St Edmund memorial penny, LEIC-4FC58C, Scalford, Leicestershire This Anglo-Viking coin, minted by Winegar (cf. EMC1001.0469) in east Anglia c.AD895–910, is our third St Edmund issue in just over 12 months (see TLAHS 90, 334). All of these discoveries are expanding the distribution of these coins further north-west than had previously been known. It also adds valuable evidence for a Scandinavian monetary economy in the Leicestershire area. Post Medieval Sixpence of Edward VI, DENO-AF6123, Diseworth, Leicestershire (Fig. 21) This is a very nice example of a coin of this boy king, dating to 1551–53. Nationally, less than 500 have been recorded and they are generally in poor condition, so this is one of the very best discovered to date.

Treasure In 2017 the Portable Antiquities Scheme and the Treasure Act are celebrating their twentieth anniversary (the Act became law on 24 September 1997). Local museums will be highlighting objects acquired via this mechanism and various promotions, including a ‘Top 20 Treasures’, featuring the Hallaton Hoard, will appear in the national press, highlighting the archaeological importance of the Treasure process. It is very timely that last year, 2016, proved very interesting for Treasure cases, especially those dating to the Early Medieval period, and some of them will be publicised during this anniversary year. A total of 960 cases were dealt with nationally; 11 Treasure cases were reported for Leicestershire and three for Rutland (overall, the FLO dealt with 23 cases). Those that can be reported are included here; however, at the time of writing, many are still subject to the confidentiality of the Treasure Act. Prehistoric Iron Age fittings, 2016T977, Groby Parish, Leicestershire Two Bronze fittings found together. One is possibly a terminal from a Wild type V button and loop fastener. The other has a ‘Le Tène’ style, lyre-loop design and could be a foot from a chariot linch pin. Its design is similar to those found in the Burrough Hill chariot hoard (2013 T441 – see article in this volume). Base metal Treasure of this period is very rare, with most ‘Prehistoric base metal hoards’ (a Treasure category since 2003) belonging to the Bronze Age. The case was disclaimed and returned to finder. Early Medieval Early medieval gold bracteate fragment, 2016T681, LEIC-D6218C, Nailstone Parish, Leicestershire Remarkably, although only a fragment, this is the third Bracteate to be found from the county. The find spot is extremely interesting as very little of note had previously been recorded there. This case is similar to the earlier find, found in Melton (TLAHS, 89, 322), which had unique features. This new example also has ‘unique’ features, with an unparalleled gold ‘bead’ set into the outer rim. Leicestershire Museums hopes to acquire the item in due course. 246 john thomas

Silver gilt sword pommel, 2016T288 LEIC-E45DE0, Scalford, Leicestershire (Fig. 22) This find is a superb ‘cocked hat’-style pommel dating to the mid-sixth to seventh century. It is decorated with a different motif on each side: two intertwined ribbon like creatures with a niello stripe on one side; and two crossed beasts biting each other’s tails on the other. Leicestershire Museums hopes to acquire the find in due course.

Four silver strap ends, 2016T98 LEIC-3119AD, Husbands Bosworth, Leicestershire (Fig. 23) These four ‘Trewhiddle style A’ strap ends, with identical interlaced beasts picked out in niello and found with intact silver rivets, date to the late ninth century. These are remarkably rare finds and are the first set of four recorded with the PAS. They are similar in style and composition to the Poppleton hoard of two sets of four, found in Yorkshire in the early 1990s. These finds are in the process of being acquired by Leicestershire Museums.

Four silver pennies of William I, 2016T132 LEIC-20097D, LEIC-2032FB, LEIC-6CE010 and LEIC-6CEBD0, Husbands Bosworth, Leicestershire (Fig. 24) A very rare find from the same field as the strap ends reported above. The group comprises three complete, and one partial, Cross Fleury type dating to 1066–68. Each coin is from a different mint: London, Winchester, Nottingham and York. The

Fig. 22. archaeology in leicester, leicestershire and rutland 2016 247

Fig. 23.

Fig. 24.

York example (LEIC-6CE010) also provides a new type for the moneyer Laesinc. Acquired by Leicestershire Museums. Medieval

Gold ring, 2016T378 LEIC-070179, Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire This find is a remarkably attractive fifteenth-century gold and enamel heart-shaped ring from just south of Kirby Muxloe Castle. It has wonderfully worked white enamel panelling, with gold star-shaped motifs throughout. On its reverse it has a black-letter Gothic script which reads honor et ioie (Honour and Joy). Disclaimed and returned to finder.

A run of Treasure cases, late in 2015, meant it was not possible to include some finds in last year’s report. Those acquired by Leicestershire museums are listed below. Other cases can be viewed on the PAS database: https://finds.org.uk/ A hoard of medieval (Edwardian) silver pennies, 2015T179 LEIC-D9F14F (X.A120.2016), Wymeswold, Leicestershire. 248 john thomas

A Tudor silver-gilt dress hook, 2015T305 LEIC-B38396 (X.A121.2016), Rothley, Leicestershire. An early medieval silver-gilt pin, 2015T657 LEIC-15810D (X.A25.2017), Asfordby, Leicestershire.

An Early Medieval double Treasure find from Rutland A small group of stunning and archaeologically significant artefacts was recovered during a ‘club dig’, held jointly by the Leicester Search Society, and Melton and Belvoir Search Society, in August 2016. The finders were very responsible and reported it straight away, allowing archaeologists to assess the find spot. The finds, which were recovered in two locations about 100m apart, appear to be contemporary. They hint at an early medieval site of national importance, perhaps comparable to other significant discoveries such as Prittlewell and Sutton Hoo. 2016T636 LEIC-47843A Gold buckle (Fig. 25) The first find is extremely unusual and is of itself nationally important. It has a box-like construction, formed of a series of plates, and is triangular in form with a rectangular cross-section, with three domed bosses in each of its upper corners. The buckle loop, which is ‘D’ shaped and semi-circular in cross section, and pin, with semi-circular cross-section, is solid gold. The buckle has sustained some damage whilst in the ground, but is still a magnificent object. Only three similar buckles have been found in the country so far. The first, from Finglesham, Kent, is gilded silver and was found in grave 95, during cemetery excavations between 1959 and 1967 (Northbourne collection). This buckle included a front panel depicting a standing figure, thought to be Odin. It is possible that the Rutland example once had such a plate. Another parallel in form is the gold ‘Great buckle’ from the Sutton Hoo ship burial, Suffolk. This was the centrepiece of a splendid burial array, now displayed at the British Museum (British Museum, reg. no. 1939, 1010.109). The closest parallel, however, is from the most recent find: the gold buckle from the ‘princely’ furnished burial at Prittlewell, Essex. This is remarkably similar, the only difference being that the Rutland example has two more studs on the upper plate. Both buckles are classed as Marzinik II.23 and probably date to the early seventh century (Marzinzik, 2003). 2016T636 LEIC-47AE03 Copper alloy hanging bowl The Prittlewell burial also provides a parallel for the second find, which is a fragmentary bronze hanging bowl. The bowl was found in 12 pieces, representing approximately a quarter of the bowl, in association with the gold buckle. The fragments included pieces of rim; one with a rounded integral loop and a possible ‘openwork’ fragment, consisting of a rim-like ridge with two fragmentary projections. The form of the fragments, in particular the integral loops (which would have held handles), suggest that they come from a copper alloy basin of eastern Mediterranean type, dating to the sixth–seventh centuries. A number of these bowls have been found in early Anglo-Saxon graves; notably, the Sutton Hoo ship burial archaeology in leicester, leicestershire and rutland 2016 249

Fig. 25. and at Prittlewell. Several examples are in the British Museum’s collections, and a number of fragments are recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme Database (NMS-E6959B; NLM-2D4B76; NMS-5F2A81; LIN-E73311) (Sue Brunning, pers. comm.). Some examples have openwork foot-rings, and it is possible that the openwork fragment from Rutland is from one of these. Therefore, despite being incomplete, the bowl that was carefully recovered by a group of detectorists adds much weight to the parallels with Sutton Hoo and Prittlewell. 250 john thomas

2016T637 LEIC-47932 A filigree gold pendant (Fig. 26) The third discovery, a pendant, was found separately and a short distance away from the buckle location. These types of pendant are not to be confused with bracteates, having a different construction, but they are very similar artefacts, and two bracteates found at the Finglesham cemetery provide a useful parallel. The pendant has a broad filigree border, filled with small filigree circles. Sitting over this at each cardinal point is an inward-facing triangular border with the same filling. Touching the tip of each triangle is a circular filigree border, c.13mm in diameter, containing a cross motif formed of two overlapping elongated rectangular filigree loops. The pendant fits into a group of early Anglo-Saxon gold disc pendants with diverse filigree decoration, many with cruciform motifs and some with additional gem settings. Several are recorded on the PAS database, including finds from Norfolk (NMS-515C15; NMS-4198A8), Suffolk (SF-B6EFA1), Surrey (SUR-883362), Essex (ESS-7E4F06; ESS-450B96) and Lincolnshire (NLM5404; LIN-7A7C04). These pendants are dated broadly to the seventh century, with the latest date being provided by their inclusion in grave 93 at Boss Hall, Suffolk, which also contained a late seventh-century Series B Sceatta (Geake 1997, 38; Webster and Backhouse 1991, 33). However, the central ‘cruciform’ motif on the Rutland pendant is very similar to that on a gold sword pommel from Ardleigh, Essex (PAS database ESS- 27D367), dating to the late sixth to early seventh centuries. It is possible therefore that the pendant could be contemporary with the buckle. This interpretation fits neatly if the finds represent a hoard deposited in the copper alloy bowl, subsequently plough damaged and its contents dragged along

Fig. 26. archaeology in leicester, leicestershire and rutland 2016 251 the field. However, the distance between the finds suggests it could also be a grave good, and as these pendants are considered by several specialists to be items of female jewellery, it must be from a separate burial, which provides the potential for a cemetery. Several other finds could add weight to the suggestion of a cemetery, but one in particular fits the model of a high-status burial. A similarly dated copper alloy ‘Salin style 1’ decorative mount was found about 250m to the north-east (LEIC-4199B9). Only nine similar pendants have been recorded by the PAS and they are largely distributed across eastern England, from near Chelmsford in the south, up to a costal location east of Middlesbrough. More are known from excavations, but unlike the slightly more common bracteates, they remain a rare seventh-century find.

Discussion When considered together, the finds add weight to the likelihood of a high-status cemetery being present, with the buckle and hanging bowl coming from the same important grave. Each of the other known similar buckles was found in a grave with ‘Royal’ associations, strengthening the argument for such a case here. Finglesham means the ‘Princes manor’, Sutton Hoo is said to be the grave of King Raedwald and, lastly, we have the Prittlewell ‘Prince’. Could this new find spot be a royal cemetery as well? Until recently, as the parallels clearly show, finds such as these would be expected to be found only in the wealthy south-east of England, which had stronger ties to the continent in the early centuries of Saxon rule. It is possible that Mercia had similar connections. Recent finds of three gold bracteates from North Leicestershire (LEIC-EDD980; LEIC-1E63A8; LEIC- D6218C), artefacts previously considered only to have a southern distribution, and a growing scatter of high-status artefacts from the Melton area, increase Leicestershire’s status. Rutland has several impressive early Anglo-Saxon cemeteries at Empingham, Great Casterton and Market Overton, and this new site may add to the importance of the county in this formative period for what would become England. Along with the recent magnificent find of the Staffordshire hoard, these new discoveries from Rutland add much weight to the importance of Mercia in the sixth and seventh centuries. When interviewed recently for ‘The Searcher’ magazine on this find, my colleague Kevin Leahy commented: ‘It is important that these two objects are what was lacking in the Staffordshire Hoard which contained no male dress fittings and no feminine jewellery. Buckles like this one are uncommon although we do see a fair number of gold pendants. These are the sort of thing that we need to see in order to put the Staffordshire Hoard into its cultural context. It is good to be seeing seriously high status objects in the Midlands, making the Staffordshire Hoard look a bit less lonely.’ These and other recent metal-detected discoveries, such as the Watlington hoard, could well help us re-write the material ‘history’ of the Mercians. They are beginning to show that wealth was not confined to the south-east of the country and might also help us to confirm the importance of Mercia in the formation of England. Mercia has always lain in the shadow of Wessex, but this may be the result of early 252 john thomas medieval ‘spin doctoring’. The Watlington hoard contained 13 new examples of the ‘two emperors’ type coin. These enhance the idea that they were probably a joint issue between Alfred and Ceolwulf II of Mercia. The coins indicate that rather than being ‘a foolish kings thegn’ and a puppet of the Vikings, as portrayed in the Anglo- Saxon Chronicle, Ceolwulf was the rightful king of Mercia and an ally of Alfred. He disappears abruptly from history, and it has been suggested that Alfred somehow may have removed his fellow ruler in order to take control of Mercia and fulfil his dream of creating England (Williams and Naylor, 2016). A series of initial archaeological investigations, including full survey and trial excavations, have taken place on site and the results are extremely promising. Further work may be required, which is partly why the location of the discoveries is being protected, and full results will be published in due course. In the meantime, Rutland County Museum hopes to acquire and display this important material.

References

Brunning, S. and Report on find of potential reasureT for H. M. Coroner 2016T636: Scott, W., 2016 Probable grave assemblage from ‘Rutland’. Brunning, S. and Report on find of potential reasureT for H. M. Coroner 2016T37: Scott, W., 2016 Gold disc pendant from ‘Rutland’. Hawkes, S., Davidson, The Finglesham Man. Antiquity 39(153), 17–32. H. and Hawkes, C., 1965 Campbell, J., 1982 The Anglo-Saxons. Penguin. Marzinzik, S., 2003 Early Anglo-Saxon Belt Buckles (Late 5th to Early 8th Centuries AD): Their Classification and Context. Oxford: British Archaeological Reports, British Series, No. 357. The Searcher Magazine Issue no 375, November 2016. Williams, G. and King Alfred’s Coins – the Watlington Viking Hoard. Ashmolean Naylor, J., 2016 Museum, 25–7.